AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20019, 7 August 1920, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

CRYSTAL PALACE.

“ STREET-OF SEVEN STARS'.”

Doris Kenyon has the leading part, that of Harmony Wells, an American girl with great talent as a violinist. goes to Paris to complete her musical education, and lives in a house in tho Street of Seven Stars. In Paris Harmony makes the acquaintance of Dr Peter Byrne, a young American surgeon, and Dr Anna Gates, an American woman specialist. Through them she meets Walter M’Lean, a' wealthy young American sojouniing in Paris. Both Byrne and M’Lean fall in lovo with her. An Apache now appears on tho scene. He insults Harmony and is well thrashed by Byrue. Some time later while Byrne, tLarmony and Anna are on a visit to Switzerland, By mo and Harmony are overtaken by a snowstorm and seek refuge in a lonely hut in the Alps. The hub happens to be occupied by the Apache, whom Byrne overcomes in a thrilling and spectacular fight. Byrne seizes the opportunity to declare his love, but Harmony reminds him that they both have careers. Returning to Paris Harmony, Anna and Byrne take up residence in till© same building, but tho voice of scandal compels Harmony to depart, and she secures employment with a famous modist. One day while playing to the girls in tho workroom the wife of tho director of the conservatory hears her, and the result is that she is offered an engagement. On the eve of making her debut she realises that her love is stronger than a career, and she returns to Byrne and tells him so. Introduced in the story is a cripple boy and tho mother who deserted him ,and these two have a very great influence on Harmony’s actions.

Additional films are another episode of “The Grey Seal” serial, “Some Snoozcr ” (comedy) and a Topical Budget.

STRAND THEATRE,

“CEASING RAINBOWS.”

Sadie (Gladys lirockwell) is a waitress with a big heart, and is liked by everyone. She has given her love to a commercial traveller named Lacy, but her faith iu mankind receives a rude shock when she learns that Lacy is a married man. To got away from her sorrow she goes to a place in Heath Valley, on the Salt Lake railway. It is a town of the gold rush days. Thompson, the manager of the railway restaurant there, requires a waitress who is a man-hater, as others leave him to get married. .Sadio is sent in answer to Thompson’s request, and he falls in love with her. Everyone else iu the town falls in lovo with Sadio as she goes about doing good. Her especial charge is “ Sickly Siunny,” who runs the roulette wheel, and whom she tenderly nurses on his death-bed. Sadie also takes pretty misguided Allio under her wing, sets her on the right path and finally sees her respectably at work. Gold is found iu the Nevada, and Sadie persuades Thompson to go and try his luck whilst she runs the restaurant. Olio night, as Sadie is counting the cash, her former lover Lacy rushes in and states that ho has shot a man on the goldfield and must make an escape. She takes him into the gambling-house, where she handles the crooked roulette wheel that “Skinny” has shown her how to run, and ho makes enough money to escape. Just after Lacy leaves the gambling-house, Sadie hears that the man he shot was Thompson, the man she had learned to love. Sho runs after Lacy, but too late. Ho disappears on the train. Thompson appcarSj and, tells her he dodged the shot, but struck bis bead, receiving a scalp wound. Sadie finds that second lovo is sometimes better than first love, and in the pot of gold at the end of her rainlmw she discovers the right man. Additional films are:—“ Love is Love,” “ Glutton for Punishment,” a World’s News and a Gave I to.

QUEEN’S THEATRE.

■“ THE DEVIL’S TRAIL.”

The popular Betty Compson is the atar hi this production, Dubcc, who trades liquor to tho Indians fur’ furs is the bad man of "The Devil’s Irail. ’ Jlo is pursued by tlso men of the North-west Mounted Police At tho opening of the stoiv Du bee stops H tho |>ost where Airs Dolisle, wife of Scigeant Dohslc, is alono with licr daughter Nonetto, and a, baby sister Juhe. Tho outlaw kills Airs Delislo and abducts Nonetto. Twelve years pass and Imho Delude cclohrates her sixteen Lb birthday. The men of tho North-west Mounted Police attend ibis happy function, nml, while it is in progress, Sergeant APNair arrives. Ho at once lails m love with Julio ,„id she with him, and this love persists despite the faeb that APNair has come to succeed her father an commander oi tho post. Hie post is situated at Chino Landing ; ,ml IX'HmIo Ims been nna-blo to eu.4, the lawless element, übich bad settled there dnnim tlm god rush. Du bee returns from Ibe gold rush alter twelve years’ absence bringing Nonetto with him. The latter is now a woman of the dance balls and so at lirst smweclf. in keeping her identity froni her fatlier. But Hien Dohslo s life is endangered bv the lawless crowd and Julio has been itmdo prisoner by Dnboe, Nonetto re veals her secret. While APNair also o. prisoner, fights to save Julio, NonS l L'S ss l,er “ 1 " r •*»«>■» to fho second feature is “ Soul Without \\mdou-s ” starring Ethel Clayton A child is found by the roadside with hoi dying mother and taken in charge by the kindly but severe Quakers of the settlement. The child knows only that her name is “Hopama” " into the lifo of W Mnfcj.Tkl t»h» lock Wr liWtv, Shfc’ had grown to doubt tho wholo world until Hopama, came into his life Scott is cured by an operation -,mt ?■' mother, fearful that he will rnml- ip! unknown girl, tells Hopama dm m to marry Faith PaC ]t -n sweetheart. _ Hopama steals away Vo on old musician, and in Hu. , J .A. 1,0 revealed that bee Lal.v , ™ 1,1 , 1s Hope Palmer, and tC^ ‘

birth being cleared awav, Mrs Mallory welcomes her as a daughter. Supporting films are Chapter 7 of Um serial “Liberty,” a Pictorial Budget. a Christie comody, and an Educational Review.

LIBERTY THEATRE,

" QUIXNF.Y'S,” This is an English production of Horace \ achell’s widely rend novel of tho same mime. The leading parts arc filled by Henry Ainlo.y and Isobel Elsom. Qumnoy is a dealer in old furniture and curios. Ho is proud of his reputation as a connoisseur and his honourable record ns tho straightest dealer in London. Hig foreman, Jim, is secretly engaged to his daughter, fosy, who bears with remarkable equanimity the old man’s remarks, in execrable taste, of how much she has cost him in upbringing and education, tho lather becomes suspicious and there is a stormy scene at midnight when he forbids tho marriage of his daughter, 'and turns her, with her mother and lover, out of the house, this happened on the day that the old man had bought eight Chippendale choirs oyer which ho had a violent quarrel with Jim, who said they were rakccU r urious, therefore, Qoinuey interviews his typist, who falsely asserts that Jim has been her lover. Tlio old man then takes a taxi—and tho cypist—and run a the fugitives to earth at Ids brother’s house. Jim is bidden to choose between £looo—plus the typist—and Posy. Of course he chooses Posy. It then transpires that Jim himself failed the Chippendale chaars, so, with his reputation at stake, Qumnoy has to confess himself beaten, to accept Jim as his prcspec- ™ .son-in-law. In every respect Qumnoy s ” is an admirable production, and Henry Ainlov registers an even greater success in" the film than lie did in the role he created on the stage. Tims one of the finest diameter studies of the modem stage is recalled and supplemented with those subtle touches which the screen permits the actor to superimpose upon his previous conception of the role. All through the film is a triumph of acting, and tho settings are a splendid example of created atmosphere by means of suitable backgrounds.

Die Rathe Gazette, Topical Budget, scenes of the English Derbv, a Rolin comody, “Be My Wife,” and the first of a series of New Zealand film stories from magazines will complete tho excellent programme. The Liberty orchestra will contribute a programme of fresh incidental music.

GRAND THEATRE.

" THU FOUR, FLUSHED.”

. 10-mght will witness the final screening of tho present programme, which includes tho “ Old "World to tho New ” and “Pogeon” (Bessie Love). Next week two excellent attractions ore proimscd. I hero will bo tho popular Halo Hamilton in the .Metro comedy-drama tho hour Plusher,” and the Fox photo-play. “ Buchanan’s Wife.” “Tho (our Flu slier ” is a brilliant pictnrisaLion ol an original story specially written tor tho star, and gives him such a role as has made him famous on the stage as well as the screen. He plays tho part of a hard-working young Nhw lurkcr who is tired of “just getting t'.Y.' , lucre are many excruciatingly tunny mciden(9 throughout tho plot of tho Picture, and nil the five acts* are a not of richly decorated interiors and ''N’l l t ?, fu | oxu>ri°ns. _As “ Buchanan’s 110 Miss irginia Pearson appears m one of the best roles of her brilliant ca e ro “/„. The play is from tho studies ot \\ illmui box. and is based on tho well known work by Justin Miles Forman. It is stated to bo a sensational stoiy of a woman s struggle for happiness against evil. Hie supporting pictures are well selected, and include comedies oud educational subjects.

SYDENHAM PICTURES.

At, this popular theatre- "The Alan They Could Not Hang ” will ho shown to-night and Monday night. The seaSlias been extended on account of groat success of this feature.

OPERA HOUSE.

Billy Elliott, tiic American hlacklacoil comedian, was tho star per former at tho Opera House this week, his efforts being well received by’largo audiences. Ollier items in support were given by Baelo (equilibrist), Ward ami Sherman (sketch mid variety artists), K.e.teb ami Kliftio (comic acrobats), L’agden and Stanley (burlesque and music artists), (ho Smitlisoiiiaiis (vocalists), Curly Sherwood (vocalist), Eddie A) arl.y n (eccentric- dancer), Vince and Lva. Courtney (song and patter purveyors) and Tlmrber and Timelier (novelty comedy actors).